REVIEW: ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS & MILITARIA 26 JULY

The two headline medal groups of this sale both found new homes – one setting a world record as it did so.

The fine Great War ‘Western Front’ Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant Arnold Loosemore for his great gallantry during the second Anglo-French general attack of the Third Battle of Ypres sold at a top-estimate £220,000.

Meanwhile the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross awarded to Corporal Brad 'Bugsy' Malone after three acts of exceptional bravery during his tour of Afghanistan in 2008 went over high estimate to sell for £160,000, a world auction record for a C.G.C.

The record price provides the best possible start to Sacred Laoch, Brad’s project to buy land to build a homestead / retreat in the Scottish Highlands for like-minded soldiers to use and experience a new way of life as a means of coping with the psychological impact of frontline experience.

“I want to create a place where veterans can come together in community to heal and connect with nature and themselves... I think community is vital to healing,” he said before the auction.

Following the sale, which Brad watched from a remote Scottish island, he said: “Wow, I’m overwhelmed. The medal sold for more than the estimate so the additional money plus the money I have been given via my Go Fund Me page, will help give my project Sacred Laoch the best of starts.”

As Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison at Noonans, commented: “We are delighted to see that Brad’s great story of gallantry has been rewarded with a record price at auction for a CGC and that the proceeds will go to such a noble cause to aid the greater good of his former comrades. The medal was purchased by a British Collector.” 

The Sacred Laoch Go Fund Me page is still accepting donations towards the project.